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Nantes seek saviour in Barthez

By Laurent Picard & Patrick Haond

Nantes have reportedly offered Fabien Barthez a deal to help save their season.

Nantes have reportedly offered Fabien Barthez a six-month deal, with a two-year option, should he help save their season.

Les Canaris have conceded 23 goals in 17 games so far this season, and have slumped to second bottom in Ligue 1.

Former Marseille and Manchester United goalkeeper Barthez has not played since France's defeat in the World Cup final this summer.

Barthez has been keeping up his fitness training with a lowly French team, and FCNA's current number one Vladimir Stojkovic remains philosophical about the speculation that he will lose his regular role in the starting XI.

"I don't pay attention to all those rumours, that is not my problem," Stojkovic told Ouest-France.

"They can bring Barthez, Zenga or Schmeichel, it is still up to me to prove my worth.

"The directors decide, not me."

But Nantes are also the lowest scorers in the league with just 12 goals from their 17 games so far and have therefore turned their attentions to strengthening&nbsp;their strike-force as well.

Bordeaux's Jean-Claude Darcheville has been linked with the club, alongside&nbsp;Levante's French ace Peguy Luyindula, who has lost his&nbsp;place in the Valencia club's first team.

Tunisian international Francileudo Santos appears the most serious option however, as he has been&nbsp;confined to a substitute's role at Toulouse under Elie Baup.

While the Brazilian-born marksman still has a year-and-a-half left on his current deal at the Stadium Municipal, he could be tempted away from&nbsp;TFC&nbsp;in the upcoming January transfer window.